The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-01
FRUITS OF HARRISONISM.
An Insane Man Scalded to Death in His
Bath, at the Asylum, Two Weeks Ago.
The Affair Revealed by an Anonymous Letter
Despite an Apparent Effort of the Man.
agement to Conceal 1t.

On yesterday there came to light part of the
particulars of one of the most horrible tragedies
ever known in the annals of the public institu-
tions of Indiana Whether it was the result OF
criminal brutality or only of criminal negligence
yet remains to De ascartained, but the efforts
that have been made to conceal it indicate that
there is something back of 1t which may well
cause every person in the State to shudder As
is generally known, there have from time to
time been circulated stories of erueltes at the
Insane Hospital which were SO shocking that
many persons, unwilling to abandon all faith In
common humanity, have been inclined to dis
credit them: bat heretofore there has been no
apparently well authenticated that has re-
suited in the death of the unhappy victim.
Several days ago there was a rumor aaoat that
inmate of the insane asylum had been
scalded to death in a bath tub. but as no definite
information could be obtained concerning it the
matter was allowed to drop, and it had almost
been forgotten. Yesterday morning. however.
Coroner Wagner received anonymous note.
stating positively that an inmate Of the asylum
had died from the effects Of . scald received In
the bath tub. 1t also stated that the attend
ants at the asylum had been sworn to secresy
In regard to the matter. and that threats had
had bean made to discharge any employe who
permitted word concerning the affair TO pass
beyond the walls of the institution.
DR.. Wagner, upon the receipt of the letter.
notwithstanding it bore no signature, deemed
it his duty to make an Investigation as to the
truth of the report, and yesterday forenoon Wis
tied the hospital He ascertainsd that in
mate named Albert McConagy, from Hunting
ton. had died under sus picious circumstances on
the 22d instant. He was admitted to the asy-
lum the 9TH of last May. The scald from
which his death is alleged to have resulted oc-
Cured on the 14th OF this month. The circum-
stances surrounding the death seemed to be SO
suspicious that DR.. Wagner instituted an inves-
tigatioD The attendant who had charge OF the
ward in which McConagy was confined, was the
first witness. He said that on the day the pa
tient was scalded he placed him in the bath tub
and turned the cold water He had his at
tention directed from the patient a moment, and
when he returned to the tub the hot water had
been turned on and the inmate was allowing the
water to flow against his stomach. He imme-
distoly turned of the water and did not think
the patient was badly scaded.
DR.. Thomas. superintendent of the male de-
partmsnt of the institution, was also examined
by the coroner. He testified that Mr.. McCon-
agy affected with progressive paralysis, and
he thought Incapable OF turning on the
water himself With'regard to the cause of the
mans death, he said he did not think it came
from the scald, but was the result of exhaus-
ton.
The coroner will continue the investigation
this morning. by examining all the hospital au-
thorites and employees who know anything
q bout the DEATH
The feature Of the affair that bears most
strongly against the management. as thus far
developed. is the extraordinary quiet which has
been maintained in regard to it. No shipping
permit was issued and no record of the death
left at the city health Office. 1t is beyond COM
prshension why this should have been omitted
if there were rot some thing back which it was
considered necessary to conceal, and the mys-
terions nature of the com munication, which evil
IDENTIFY came from some one in the institution,
makes it still more probable that there 10
awful responsibility for the death resting on the
hospital management